U.S. patent application number 14/485039 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-24 for oil baffle for gas turbine fan drive gear system.
The applicant listed for this patent is United Technologies Corporation. Invention is credited to Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan.
Application Number | 20150267802 14/485039 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38565432 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150267802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheridan; William G. ; et
al. |
September 24, 2015 |
OIL BAFFLE FOR GAS TURBINE FAN DRIVE GEAR SYSTEM
Abstract
A geared architecture includes a carrier that has spaced apart
walls with circumferentially spaced mounts that interconnect the
walls. The mounts provide circumferentially spaced apart apertures
between the mounts at an outer circumference of the carrier. A sun
gear and intermediate gears are arranged about and intermesh with
the sun gear. The intermediate gears are supported by the carrier.
The intermediate gears extend through the apertures to intermesh
with a ring gear. A baffle is supported relative to the carrier and
includes a lubrication passage near at least one of the sun gear
and intermediate gears for directing a lubricant on the at least
one of the sun gear and intermediate gears. The lubrication passage
includes a primary passage that extends laterally between the walls
and first and second passages and is in communication with the
primary passage and respectively terminates near the sun gear and
intermediate gears.
Inventors: |
Sheridan; William G.;
(Southington, CT) ; McCune; Michael E.;
(Colchester, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
United Technologies Corporation |
Hartford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
38565432 |
Appl. No.: |
14/485039 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13861602 |
Apr 12, 2013 |
8898900 |
|
|
14485039 |
|
|
|
|
13346790 |
Jan 10, 2012 |
8640336 |
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13861602 |
|
|
|
|
12718436 |
Mar 5, 2010 |
8276275 |
|
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13346790 |
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|
11481112 |
Jul 5, 2006 |
7704178 |
|
|
12718436 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
475/159 ;
29/889.22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02C 7/36 20130101; F16H
57/0421 20130101; F16H 57/0486 20130101; Y10T 29/4932 20150115;
F16H 57/0482 20130101; F16H 57/0427 20130101; Y10T 29/49316
20150115; F05D 2260/40311 20130101; Y10T 29/49323 20150115; F02C
3/04 20130101; F16H 57/0423 20130101; F16H 57/046 20130101; Y10T
29/49464 20150115; F16H 57/082 20130101; F05D 2260/98 20130101;
F05D 2230/60 20130101; F01D 25/18 20130101; F16H 57/0479
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16H 57/04 20060101
F16H057/04; F02C 7/36 20060101 F02C007/36; F01D 25/18 20060101
F01D025/18 |
Claims
1. A geared architecture comprising: a carrier, having spaced apart
walls with circumferentially spaced mounts interconnecting the
walls, the mounts providing circumferentially spaced apart
apertures between the mounts at an outer circumference of the
carrier; a sun gear and intermediate gears arranged about and
intermeshing with the sun gear, the intermediate gears supported by
the carrier, the intermediate gears extending through the apertures
to intermesh with a ring gear; and a baffle supported relative to
the carrier including a lubrication passage near at least one of
the sun gear and intermediate gears for directing a lubricant on
the at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears, wherein
the lubrication passage includes a primary passage extending
laterally between the walls and first and second passages in
communication with the primary passage and respectively terminating
near the sun gear and intermediate gears.
2. The geared architecture according to claim 1, comprising a tube
extending through a hole in one of the walls, the tube in
communication with the primary passage.
3. The geared architecture according to claim 1, comprising a ring
gear intermeshing with the intermediate gears and an output shaft
interconnected to the ring gear, and an input shaft interconnected
to the sun gear.
4. The geared architecture according to claim 3, wherein the
carrier is fixed relative to a housing.
5. The geared architecture according to claim 4, wherein the
housing supports a torque frame that is secured to the mounts.
6. The geared architecture according to claim 1, wherein the baffle
is secured to the carrier with fasteners.
7. The geared architecture according to claim 1, wherein the baffle
is integral with carrier.
8. A geared architecture comprising: a carrier; a sun gear and
intermediate gears arranged about and intermeshing with the sun
gear, the intermediate gears supported by the carrier; a baffle
supported relative to the carrier including a lubrication passage
near at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears for
directing a lubricant on the at least one of the sun gear and
intermediate gears; and a spray bar external to the carrier and in
communication with the lubrication passage, the spray bar
terminating near the sun gear for directing lubricant on the sun
gear.
9. The geared architecture according to claim 8, comprising a tube
extending through a hole in one of the walls, the tube in
communication with the primary passage.
10. The geared architecture according to claim 8, comprising a ring
gear intermeshing with the intermediate gears and an output shaft
interconnected to the ring gear, and an input shaft interconnected
to the sun gear.
11. The geared architecture according to claim 10, wherein the
carrier is fixed relative to a housing.
12. The geared architecture according to claim 11, wherein the
housing supports a torque frame that is secured to the mounts.
13. The geared architecture according to claim 8, wherein the
baffle is secured to the carrier with fasteners.
14. The geared architecture according to claim 8, wherein the
baffle is integral with carrier.
15. A method of designing a geared architecture comprising:
defining a carrier having spaced apart walls with circumferentially
spaced mounts interconnecting the walls, the mounts defined to
provide circumferentially spaced apart apertures between the mounts
at an outer circumference of the carrier; defining a sun gear and
intermediate gears arranged about and intermeshing with the sun
gear, the intermediate gears defined to be supported by the
carrier, the intermediate gears defined to extend through the
apertures to intermesh with a ring gear; and defining a baffle
supported relative to the carrier including a lubrication passage
near at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears for
directing a lubricant on the at least one of the sun gear and
intermediate gears, wherein the lubrication passage includes a
primary passage extending laterally between the walls and first and
second passages in communication with the primary passage.
16. The method according to claim 15, comprising defining a tube
extending through a hole in one of the walls, the tube configured
to be in communication with the primary passage.
17. The method according to claim 15, comprising defining a ring
gear intermeshing with the intermediate gears and an output shaft
interconnected to the ring gear, and defining an input shaft
interconnected to the sun gear.
18. The method according to claim 17, comprising defining the
carrier to be fixed relative to a housing.
19. The method according to claim 18, comprising defining the
housing to support a torque frame that is configured to be secured
to the mounts.
20. The method according to claim 15, comprising defining the
baffle to be secured to the carrier with fasteners.
21. The method according to claim 15, comprising defining the
baffle to be integral with carrier.
22. A method of designing a geared architecture comprising:
defining a carrier; defining a sun gear and intermediate gears
arranged about and intermeshing with the sun gear, the intermediate
gears configured to be supported by the carrier; defining a baffle
configured to be supported relative to the carrier including a
lubrication passage near at least one of the sun gear and
intermediate gears for directing a lubricant on the at least one of
the sun gear and intermediate gears; and defining a spray bar
external to the carrier and in communication with the lubrication
passage, the spray bar configured to terminate near the sun gear
for directing lubricant on the sun gear.
23. The method according to claim 22, comprising defining a tube
extending through a hole in one of the walls, the tube configured
to be in communication with the primary passage.
24. The method according to claim 22, comprising defining a ring
gear intermeshing with the intermediate gears and an output shaft
interconnected to the ring gear, and defining an input shaft
interconnected to the sun gear.
25. The method according to claim 24, comprising defining the
carrier to be fixed relative to a housing.
26. The geared architecture according to claim 25, comprising
defining the housing to support a torque frame that is configured
to be secured to the mounts.
27. The method according to claim 22, comprising defining the
baffle to be secured to the carrier with fasteners.
28. The method according to claim 22, comprising defining the
baffle to be integral with carrier.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/861,602, filed on 12 Apr. 2013, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/346,790, filed
on 10 Jan. 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8640336, issued 4 Feb., 2014.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/346,790 is a continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/718,436, filed on 5 Mar. 2010,
now U.S. Pat. No. 8276275, issued 2 Oct., 2012 which is a
divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/481,112, filed 5
Jul. 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7704178, issued 27 Apr. 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates to a gas turbine engine
architecture.
[0003] Gas turbine engines typically employ an epicyclic gear train
connected to a turbine section of the engine, which is used to
drive the turbo fan. In a typical epicyclic gear train, a sun gear
receives rotational input from a turbine shaft through a compressor
shaft. A carrier supports intermediate gears that surround and mesh
with the sun gear. A ring gear surrounds and meshes with the
intermediate gears. In arrangements in which the carrier is fixed
against rotation, the intermediate gears are referred to as "star"
gears and the ring gear is coupled to an output shaft that supports
the turbo fan. In arrangements in which the ring gear is fixed
against rotation, the intermediate gears are referred to as
"planetary" gears and the carrier is coupled to the output shaft
that supports the turbo fan.
[0004] The epicyclic gear train gears must receive adequate
lubrication during operation of the turbine engine. To this end,
the carrier includes oil spray bars arranged between the
intermediate gears and the sun gear to spray oil directly on those
gears. Separate oil baffles, which may be integral with or separate
from the carrier, are arranged between the intermediate gears to
collect the sprayed oil and retain it in the area of the
intermediate gears for prolonged lubrication before the oil is
collected in a lubricant gutter associated with the ring gear.
[0005] Prior art carrier arrangements have required multiple
components and complicated assembly in order to accommodate the oil
baffles. For example, one or both of the side walls of the carrier
must be assembled around the intermediate gears resulting in a
multi-piece carrier. Furthermore, separate oil spray bars and oil
baffles complicate assembly and increase cost. What is needed is a
simplified oil baffle and spray bar arrangement that enables a
simpler and less expensive carrier design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one exemplary embodiment, a geared architecture includes
a carrier that has spaced apart walls with circumferentially spaced
mounts that interconnect the walls. The mounts provide
circumferentially spaced apart apertures between the mounts at an
outer circumference of the carrier. A sun gear and intermediate
gears are arranged about and intermesh with the sun gear. The
intermediate gears are supported by the carrier. The intermediate
gears extend through the apertures to intermesh with a ring gear. A
baffle is supported relative to the carrier and includes a
lubrication passage near at least one of the sun gear and
intermediate gears for directing a lubricant on the at least one of
the sun gear and intermediate gears. The lubrication passage
includes a primary passage that extends laterally between the walls
and first and second passages and is in communication with the
primary passage and respectively terminates near the sun gear and
intermediate gears.
[0007] In a further embodiment of the above, a tube extends through
a hole in one of the walls. The tube is in communication with the
primary passage.
[0008] In a further embodiment of any of the above, a ring gear
intermeshes with the intermediate gears and an output shaft is
interconnected to the ring gear. An input shaft is interconnected
to the sun gear.
[0009] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the carrier is
fixed relative to a housing.
[0010] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the housing
supports a torque frame that is secured to the mounts.
[0011] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the baffle is
secured to the carrier with fasteners.
[0012] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the baffle is
integral with the carrier.
[0013] In another exemplary embodiment, a geared architecture
includes a carrier. A sun gear and intermediate gears are arranged
about and intermesh with the sun gear. The intermediate gears are
supported by the carrier. A baffle that is supported relative to
the carrier includes a lubrication passage near at least one of the
sun gear and intermediate gears for directing a lubricant on the at
least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears. A spray bar is
external to the carrier and is in communication with the
lubrication passage. The spray bar terminates near the sun gear for
directing lubricant on the sun gear.
[0014] In a further embodiment of the above, a tube extends through
a hole in one of the walls. The tube is in communication with the
primary passage.
[0015] In a further embodiment of any of the above, a ring gear
intermeshes with the intermediate gears and an output shaft is
interconnected to the ring gear. An input shaft is interconnected
to the sun gear.
[0016] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the carrier is
fixed relative to a housing.
[0017] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the housing
supports a torque frame that is secured to the mounts.
[0018] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the baffle is
secured to the carrier with fasteners.
[0019] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the baffle is
integral with the carrier.
[0020] In another exemplary embodiment, a method of designing a
geared architecture includes defining a carrier that has spaced
apart walls with circumferentially spaced mounts that interconnect
the walls. The mounts are defined to provide circumferentially
spaced apart apertures between the mounts at an outer circumference
of the carrier. A sun gear is defined and intermediate gears are
arranged about and intermesh with the sun gear. The intermediate
gears are defined to be supported by the carrier. The intermediate
gears are defined to extend through the apertures to intermesh with
a ring gear. A baffle is defined and is supported relative to the
carrier and includes a lubrication passage near at least one of the
sun gear and intermediate gears for directing a lubricant on at
least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears. The lubrication
passage includes a primary passage that extend laterally between
the walls and first and second passages in communication with the
primary passage.
[0021] In a further embodiment of the above, a tube is defined to
extend through a hole in one of the walls. The tube is configured
to be in communication with the primary passage.
[0022] In a further embodiment of any of the above, a ring gear is
defined and intermeshes with the intermediate gears. An output
shaft is interconnected to the ring gear. An input shaft is defined
and is interconnected to the sun gear.
[0023] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the carrier is
defined to be fixed relative to a housing.
[0024] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the housing is
defined to support a torque frame that is configured to be secured
to the mounts.
[0025] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the baffle is
defined to be secured to the carrier with fasteners.
[0026] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the baffle is
defined to be integral with carrier.
[0027] In another exemplary embodiment, a method of designing a
geared architecture includes defining a carrier and defining a sun
gear and intermediate gears that are arranged about and intermesh
with the sun gear. The intermediate gears are configured to be
supported by the carrier. A baffle is defined to be configured to
be supported relative to the carrier and include a lubrication
passage near at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears
for directing a lubricant on at least one of the sun gear and
intermediate gears. A spray bar is defined that is external to the
carrier and is in communication with the lubrication passage. The
spray bar is configured to terminate near the sun gear for
directing lubricant on the sun gear.
[0028] In a further embodiment of any of the above, a tube is
defined to extend through a hole in one of the walls. The tube is
configured to be in communication with the primary passage.
[0029] In a further embodiment of any of the above, a ring gear is
defined and intermeshes with the intermediate gears and an output
shaft interconnected to the ring gear. An input shaft is defined
that interconnects to the sun gear.
[0030] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the carrier is
defined to be fixed relative to a housing.
[0031] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the housing is
defined to support a torque frame that is configured to be secured
to the mounts.
[0032] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the baffle is
defined to be secured to the carrier with fasteners.
[0033] In a further embodiment of any of the above, the baffle is
defined to be integral with the carrier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a front portion
of a gas turbine engine illustrating a turbo fan, epicyclic gear
train and a compressor section.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the epicyclic gear train
shown in FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 3 is an end view of the epicyclic gear train taken
along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 with a pair of star gears shown in phantom
in an installation position.
[0037] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the epicyclic
gear train shown in FIG. 3 with a sun gear and star gears shown in
phantom.
[0038] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the epicyclic
gear train shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] A portion of a gas turbine engine 10 is shown schematically
in FIG. 1. The turbine engine 10 includes a fixed housing 12 that
is constructed from numerous pieces secured to one another. A
compressor section 14 having compressor hubs 16 with blades are
driven by a turbine shaft (not shown) about an axis A. A turbo fan
18 is supported on a turbo fan shaft 20 that is driven by a
compressor shaft 24, which supports the compressor hubs 16, through
an epicyclic gear train 22.
[0040] In the example arrangement shown, the epicyclic gear train
22 is a star gear train. Of course, the claimed invention also
applies to other epicyclic gear trains such as a planetary
arrangement. Referring to FIG. 2, the epicyclic gear train 22
includes a sun gear 28 that is connected to the compressor shaft
24, which provides rotational input, by a splined connection
30.
[0041] In the example arrangement shown, the compressor shaft is a
two-part shaft having a first shaft 24a and a second shaft 24b. The
first shaft 24a is connected to the second shaft 24b via a
connection member 31, which is a bolt and nut in this example.
[0042] A carrier 34 is fixed to the housing 12 by a torque frame
36. The carrier 34 supports intermediate gears (which are star
gears 32 in the arrangement shown) that are coupled to the sun gear
28 by meshed interfaces 26 between the teeth of the sun and star
gears 28, 32. A ring gear 38 surrounds the carrier 34 and is
coupled to the star gears 32 by meshed interfaces 44. The ring gear
38, which provides rotational output, is secured to the turbo fan
shaft 20 by connection 42.
[0043] In one example, the torque frame 36 grounds the carrier 34
to the housing 12 in a known manner. For example, mounts 53 have
apertures 56 receiving fingers of the torque frame 36, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3. Pins 48 that extend through spherical bearings 46
and bushings 52 secure the fingers to the carrier 34. Fasteners 50
retain the pins 48 to the carrier 34.
[0044] The carrier 34 is a unitary structure manufactured from one
piece for improved structural rigidity and ease of assembly. The
carrier 34 includes spaced apart side walls 60 that are
interconnected by the mounts 54, which are generally wedge-shaped
members, as best shown in FIG. 3. The mounts 54 and side walls 60
are unitary with one another. The mounts 54 have opposing curved
surfaces 58 that are in close proximity to the star gears 32 and
generally follow the curvature of the teeth of the star gears 32 so
that any oil on the curved surfaces 58 will likely find its way to
the star gears 32 for additional lubrication.
[0045] The mounts 54 are circumferentially spaced about the carrier
34 to provide apertures 98 through which the star gears 32 extend
to engage the ring gear 38. Returning to FIG. 2, the side walls 60
include holes 62 for receiving a journal bearing 64 that supports
each of the star gears 32. Each journal bearing 64 is retained
within the carrier 34 by retainers 66 fastened to the side walls
60.
[0046] Oil baffles 68 are arranged between the side walls 60 near
each of the mounts 54, best shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 4
and 5, the baffles 68 include ends 72 that abut the mounts 54, in
the example shown. The baffles 68 also include opposing curved
surfaces 70 arranged in close proximity to the star gears 28. The
curved surfaces 58, 70 are contiguous with and adjoin one another,
in the example shown, and provide gear pockets 102 that receive the
star gears 32. A gear pocket 104, which receives the sun gear 28,
is also provided between a surface 73 on each of the baffles 68
opposite the ends 72.
[0047] In one example, one of the side walls 60 includes holes 74
that receive fasteners 76 which secure each of the baffles 68 to
the carrier 34. The baffles 68 include a lubrication passage
provided by a primary passage 86 that fluidly communicates with a
lubricant distributor 78. The lubricant distributor 78 is fed oil
from a lubricant supply 96. In one example, the baffles 68 include
openings 82 that receive a tube 80 extending through a hole 83 in
the side wall 60. Seals 84 seal the tube 80 to the opening 82 and
lubricant distributor 78. Other tubes 92 having seals 84 are used
to provide oil to an external spray bar 94 through another
lubrication passage (spray bar passage 93 that extends through one
of the baffles 68). The external spray bar 94 is secured to the
carrier 34 and sprays oil in the vicinity of the sun gear 28 near
the splined connection 30 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 5).
[0048] The primary passage 86 is in communication with first and
second passages 88, 90 that spray oil on the teeth of the sun and
star gears 28, 32. In the example shown, the first and second
passages 88, 90 are arranged ninety degrees from one another.
[0049] With the example baffles 68, lubricant distribution is
integrated into the baffle so that separate components are
eliminated. The baffles 68 can be constructed from a different,
lighter weight material than the carrier 34.
[0050] The example carrier 34 can be constructed from one piece,
which improves the structural integrity of the carrier. A central
opening 100 is machined in at least one of the side walls 60 and
provides the gear pocket 104. Gear pockets 102 are machined between
the side walls 60 and mounts 54 for each of the star gears 32 and
form apertures 98 at an outer circumference of the carrier 34.
Referring to FIG. 3, the star gears 32 are inserted into the
central opening 100 and moved radially outwardly so that they
extend through the apertures 98 and are preferably in abutment with
the mounts 54 (position indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 3). In
this position, there is an adequate gap, t, between the teeth of
adjacent star gears 32 to accommodate a width, w, of the end 72 of
the baffles 68. Once the baffles 68 have been inserted, the star
gears 32 can be repositioned, as shown by the solid lines, and the
sun gear 28 can be inserted into the central opening 100 so that it
meshes with the star gears 32. The baffles 68 are secured to the
carrier 34 using fasteners 76. The tubes 80, 92 can be inserted and
the rest of the lubricant distribution system can be connected.
[0051] Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been
disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize
that certain modifications would come within the scope of this
invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied
to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
* * * * *